HomeMy WebLinkAboutsomerset-road_0041 FORM B -BUILDING
Assessor's number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
56/98 Boston N. 1128, 1129
r
Town Lexington
r Place (neighborhood or village) Upper Meriam Hill
Address 41 Somerset Road
i Historic Name William and Grace Shurtleff House
Uses: Present Residential
t ° ` Original Residential
1 Date of Construction 1912
t Source Lexington Valuation Lists
Style/Form Colonial Revival/Craftsman
Or Architect/Builder unknown
Exterior Material:
Foundation stone
Wall/Trim novelty siding
SOMERSET
A Roof asphalt shingle
�r zet
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures
garage(MHC #1129)
j z
i-t-� Major Alterations (with dates)
: l Condition good
js0
Moved ® no ❑ yes Date
� \ 9
O
Acreage 13,600 SF
Recorded by Lisa Mausolf Setting early 20th century residential neighborhood
Organization Lexington Historical Commission
Date (month/year) May 2000
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
BUILDING FORM (41 Somerset Road)
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of the building in terms of other buildings within the
community.
Combining elements of the Colonial Revival and Craftsman styles, 41 Somerset Road(MHC #1128) is a 2 1/2-story
dwelling sheathed in novelty siding. The house rests on a rubble foundation and is capped by an asphalt-shingled, hip roof
with flared eaves and a wide overhang. Centered on the three-bay facade,the entrance contains a six-panel door flanked by
wide geometric, leaded glass sidelights. The entrance is capped by an elongated semi-elliptical divided fanlight. The entrance
is fronted by a semi-elliptical portico and steps. The porch is supported by partially fluted columns with Ionic capitals
supporting a wide frieze. The porch is capped by a turned balustrade which fronts a three-sided window on the second story.
On either side of the entrance is a rectangular bay window supported by brackets and containing three casement windows.
On the second floor of the facade there are two individual 8/8 windows with shutters flanking the center opening. Centered
on the front roof slope is a gable dormer with a pent roof Hipped roof dormers are located on the east and west roof slopes.
Projecting from the east side of the house is a single-story projection set above a latticed airspace with a curved bay. The
west elevation is fronted by a single-story open porch resting on a mortared stone foundation and supported by five Roman
Doric columns with latticed screening. A curved first floor bay window is sheltered by the porch.
The house is setback from the street and a brick walk leads to the front door. A large birch tree shades the front yard. A
paved driveway extends along the west side of the house terminating at a hip-roofed, 19' x 23' garage (MHC #1129)
s,mthed in novelty siding.
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
Describe the history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of the building and
the role(s) the owners/occupants played within the community. Pee, t00 aryl Sf'�
WC # 3S
This land was originally part of the 400-acre Francis B. Hayes estate which extended from Adams andancock Streets to
Woburn Street(the house known as Oakmount or The Castle was built in 1884 and demolished in 1941). This portion of the
Hayes estate was laid out in houselots in 1912.
This house was constructed in 1912 for William and Grace Shurtleff of Revere. The 1913 Valuation list indicates that
William Shurtleff was assessed for an unfinished house located on Lot C of Oakmount Park, measuring 13,600 square feet.
By 1916 Shurtleff was assessed for both a house and garage. Directories state that Shurtleff had a plumbing supply
business. The Shurtleffs remained in the house until the 1950s. The house was acquired by Normand and Dorothy Carter
who sold it to G. Ernest and Emily Wright in 1958. The Busiek family purchased the house in 1967. The present owners
bought the house in 1984 and the porch was enclosed that same year.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
LLington Assessors Records.
Lexington Directories, various dates.
Lexington Valuation Lists, various dates.
Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked,you must attached a completed
National Register Criteria Statement form.